Spotted moray
Gymnothorax moringa
(Cuvier, 1829)

Description:
Body long and snake-like, without pectoral or ventral fins; dorsal, tail and anal fins form a single, long, continuous fin that begins behind the head, encircles the tail and extends midway down the belly. Body scale-less and coated with a clear, protective mucus layer.
Body heavy to medium, ground color white to yellow, speckled with dark spots and blotches.
Size: 0.5 - 0.9 meter.

Habitat:
Inhabit shallow reefs, coral rubble and seagrass beds, down to 12 meters. Hide during the day in recesses; heads often extend from openings. Forage in open at night. Constantly open and close mouth in order to move water through their gills for respiration.

Distribution:
Occasional Florida and Bahamas, common Caribbean, south to Brazil and eastern Atlantic.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Superclass Pisces
Class Osteichthyes
Family Muraenidae
Genus Gymnothorax
Species Gymnothorax moringa

Status in World Register of Marine Species

Accepted name: Gymnothorax moringa (Cuvier, 1829)

Scientific synonyms and common names

Spotted moray [English]
Murène tachetée [French]
Kongla [Papiamentu]
Culebra di awa [Papiamentu]
Congla [Papiamentu]

Humann, P., 1989. Reef Fish Identification - Florida Caribbean Bahamas, (ed. N. Deloach). New World Publications, Inc., Paramount Miller Graphics, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida.

Nagelkerken, W., 1980. Coral Reef Fishes of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. Published by the Island Territory of Curacao.

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